Hundreds of heroic fundraisers pushed it to the limit on Saturday to help raise funds for Peace Hospice Care

Push it for the Peace participants tackled 30 muddy obstacles including water slides, a sheep dip, skips, rubber tyres, monkey bars and ice-cold water dips.

Spectators lined the the tough five-mile course in Chiswell Green, St Albans, cheering on the yellow muddy army as they huffed, puffed and battled together through the gruelling challenges.

Lisa Hoyland, of Watford, was doing Push It with her friends, Helen Crawley and Carol Bartlett.

She said: "I'm doing Push It today because both my father and father-in-law were cared for at the hospice - so Peace Hospice Care means an awful lot to me.

"It's amazing that they have to do so much fundraising - a real challenge for a local charity."

She added: "We had so much fun today. The obstacles and mud were great and there were lots of things that we didn't think we were going to be able to do - but we somehow got through it."

Other participants, included Hannah, of Bushey, who was carrying out 'Push It' for the first time.

She said: "It was really hard but such good fun. Each bit you come to was such a challenge.

"The water bit was the worst. We will certainly be doing it again next year - it was absolutely amazing."

Peace Hospice Care's events and community manager, Pete Watson, said: "It was a fantastic occasion and great to see people having so much fun.

"The obstacles were tough and we wanted to set out a course where people felt as though they had been challenged. Hopefully we got it right and that people really enjoyed it - going home, knowing that through the aches and pains, they have really made a positive difference to their local charity."

Pete added: "Peace Hospice Care needs to raise more than £5 million every year so that our patients and their loved ones facing a life limiting illness can get the support they need. Every participant has played their part today in helping us towards our £5 million target."

The charity hopes the event will raise around £85,000 for the hospice through both entrance fees and in sponsorship raised.

Following the challenge, participants and spectators were able to unwind in the 'Push It Village' with live music, rides, refreshments and a popular beer tent.

The next hospice fundraiser is a Wear Purple for the Peace event on Friday as part of Hospice Care Week, with individuals, schools and businesses being encouraged to dress in purple for the hospice - making a donation to show support.

To take part contact events@peacehospicecare.org.uk or call Charlotte on 01923 335371.